A joint research team from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Tokyo City University (TCU), and the Africa-ai-Japan Project recently completed a two-day field expedition on 18th and 19th August 2026 across Machakos, Makueni, and Kibwezi to explore local raw materials for porous material development and to strengthen ties with Kenya’s ceramics industry.
The field expedition brought together a multidisciplinary team from JKUAT, Tokyo City University (TCU), the Africa-ai-Japan Project, and Ceramics and Clay Masters Technologies Ltd. The team comprised Dr James M. Mutua, Dr Gerald Odhiambo, and Dr Benson Njuguna of JKUAT; Dr Shohei Aoki of JKUAT and the Africa-ai-Japan Project; Prof. Momozawa, Prof Maruyama, and Mr Satoshi of TCU; Ms Mai Toda, Team Leader of the Africa-ai-Japan Project, and Mr Billy Oluoch, Programme Officer – Engineering, also of the Africa-ai-Japan Project; and Mr Michael and Mr Mwitari of Ceramics and Clay Masters Technologies Ltd.with the aim of strengthening practical and community-linked research in materials science.
The team visited a cottage industry working with clay and ceramic materials to explore potential areas for collaboration, as well as sites containing locally available materials suitable for the development of porous materials. The visit provided an opportunity to connect academic research with local industry and resources, while identifying potential pathways for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of innovative materials using locally available resources.
Day 1: From the Pottery Workshop to the Quarry
A Visit to Ceramics and Clay Masters Technologies Ltd
The first stop was Ceramics and Clay Masters Technologies Limited in Joska, Machakos County. The organization plays a dual role: training students at primary, junior, and senior high school level in clay processing and pottery, while also running a full production line for ceramic products.
During the visit, the team observed several key activities along the clay and ceramics production process, including the processing of raw clay ore into plastic clay suitable for modelling and sanitary ware production, hands-on training in pottery skills, and the design and fabrication of firing kilns and related accessories. The team also observed the fabrication of various sanitary ware products, including toilets and water sinks, providing valuable insights into the practical application of locally sourced clay materials and the potential for collaboration in materials research and product development.
The hosts expressed appreciation for the visit and proposed further collaboration with the JKUAT materials research team and JICA Kenya, particularly around domesticating ceramic product development at the local level.
Kathiani Hills: A Promising Kaolin Discovery
The team, led by Dr James M. Mutua, then travelled to Kathiani Hills in Machakos County to investigate a white mineral deposit previously identified by the JKUAT research team. Preliminary chemical analysis of an earlier sample had already indicated high-quality kaolin, with a purity of 36% against a theoretical maximum of 42%.
On site, the team examined the extent of the deposits and collected further samples for detailed chemical composition analysis to assess their suitability for functional porous material development. Conversations with local residents suggested that additional deposits may exist nearby, and a follow-up trip is being planned to explore these areas with community assistance.
Nunguni Hills: Active Kaolin Extraction
The final stop of the day was Nunguni Hills in Makueni County, an active kaolin extraction site. The team observed ongoing mining operations, with lorries transporting raw material to a roadside collection point for easier access during the rainy season. Some of this material is supplied to Kenda Ceramics Company in Kajiado County for the manufacture of Twyford ceramic tiles.
Samples were collected here as well, to build a deeper understanding of the material’s chemical composition and its potential for high-temperature porous material applications.
Day 2: Volcanic Rock and Fly Ash Deposits in Kibwezi
On the second day, the team visited the Mbui Nzau volcanic rock fields in Kibwezi. The scale of the volcanic rock deposits stood out to the researchers, who noted that the rocks — while porous — were noticeably denser than pumice.
Closer inspection revealed the rocks to be a form of basalt-derived igneous rock, consistent with scoria: a dark-coloured, lightweight rock that forms when gas-rich lava cools rapidly at the earth’s surface. Pockets of fly ash were also found scattered through the rock fields, a sign of the intense heat generated during the original lava flow and cooling process.
Diverse samples were gathered from the site to support the team’s ongoing research into porous material development.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The field trip strengthened the technical foundation of the research while deepening collaboration between JKUAT, Tokyo City University, and Ceramics and Clay Masters Technologies Limited. Following the visit, the team agreed to expedite the characterization of the collected samples and integrate the findings into the ongoing porous materials research programme.
The team also agreed to fast-track the pending Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between JKUAT and Ceramics and Clay Masters Technologies Limited to formalize and strengthen the partnership. Overall, the field trip represents an important step towards linking local knowledge and resources with advanced materials science research, while creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation, and the development of locally relevant materials and technologies.
Written by; Billy Isaac Oluoch